Proper Nutrition

Many of the dog foods sold at your local grocery store spend a lot of money on advertising, but very little money on the quality of the ingredients in their dog food. The main ingredients are usually corn and processed/rendered meat by-product meal. Feeding these foods is like giving your dog McDonalds for every meal. It may taste ok, but it is not healthy. A quality dog food should include real meat, fruits and vegetables. If you wouldn't eat it, don't feed it to your dog. Quality dog food will improve the quality of your dog's fur, resulting in less shedding, and will stabilize your dog's energy level.

Another benefit of higher quality pet foods is that many are hypoallergenic. Many pet owners, and even some veterinarians, do not realize that their dogs have food allergies. Food allergies can develop at any time in a dog's life, although they are more common between the ages of 2 and 6 years. Common symptoms of food allergies include recurrent ear infections, hair loss, and constant itching/biting due to dermatitis (particularly biting at the paws.) If your dog is displaying these medical conditions, you should consult with your veterinarian and consider switching your dog to a hypoallergenic diet.

Common dog food allergies include:

• Corn

• Wheat Gluten

• Chicken

• Beef

• Preservatives and Chemicals added to some commercial dog foods

Citation: Common Canine Food Allergies

Complete list of dog food brands and corresponding nutrition guide: Click Here